Meet the Team
Heather L. Gomes, C-AAIS
Executive Director
heather@peopleanimalslove.org
As PAL’s Executive Director, Heather is committed to expanding access to the joys and therapeutic benefits of human-animal interactions while honoring the mutuality of the human-animal bond and nurturing a culture of kindness and respect. Heather grew up surrounded by animal companions of many species and is grateful to her mother for instilling in her a reverence for nature and animals and an understanding of our interconnectedness. A lifelong advocate for people and animals, Heather has volunteered with a therapeutic horseback riding program, fostered dogs, and practiced law. She earned a graduate certificate in Animals and Human Health, B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Women’s Studies, and J.D. A native Washingtonian, Heather currently lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with her husband and their dog, Winter. In her free time, she likes to connect with friends and family, read, travel, watch soccer, and make music playlists.
Having grown up on a farm in Nelson County, Virginia, PAL’s Therapy Dog Program Manager, Betty Argenbright, has always loved animals. For Betty, it is a dream come true to work with an organization where she can help others experience the love that animals can give and the power of the human-animal bond. Betty has more than six years of remote administrative experience and more than ten years in client relations and retention. Previously, she worked as the Senior Commission Statements Coordinator for a large real estate brokerage, Side Inc., and as a Virtual Assistant for ContemporaryVA. Outside of her professional life, she has a wonderful husband, Brandon. Together, they have five (grown and almost grown) children, Caleb, Alyssa, Cady, Coen, and Wyatt, and two “fur babies,” Buck, a hound-lab mix, and Simba, an American Staffordshire Terrier. Their free time is spent together, hiking, having family game nights, watching movies, and swimming.
Kerri Schepers, C-AAIS
Training & Evaluations Committee Chair - volunteer
Kerri Schepers and her rescue dog Crusty started volunteering as a PAL therapy team in 2015, after Kerri had observed Crusty enthusiastically sharing his spunky and therapeutic spirit with everyone he met. Since then, they have touched the lives of countless community members -- spreading joy and delight, providing comfort and support, and eliciting smiles and laughter. Kerri is a critical member of the PAL Team, helping to design, improve, and implement protocols for screening, training, evaluating, coaching, and onboarding dog-handler teams. She also serves as a Group Leader for PAL’s weekly visits at Melwood, helps facilitate monthly Zoom sessions for prospective handlers, and assists with strategic organizational planning and community outreach. In her free time, Kerri enjoys cooking, curling up with a good book, traveling, and helping furry pals at Humane Rescue Alliance by supporting adoption events.